The entrepreneurs in India, especially the women or the people belonging to SC/ST community, mostly face challenges while obtaining a business loan to start their venture.
In a noble effort by the government to help the women and SC/ST entrepreneurs in India, a Stand-Up India scheme was launched in April 2016.
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The main objective of Stand-Up India is to provide financial assistance in terms of a bank loan to the small business owners, ranging from Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore to at least one women entrepreneur borrower and SC/ST entrepreneur from every bank branch. Notably, the loans are offered to set up a Greenfield enterprise that may operate in the trading, manufacturing, or services sector.
Notably, if the enterprise is a group company, then a minimum of 51% of the control and stake must be held by the women entrepreneur or an individual belonging to the SC/ST community. The Stand-Up India loan is available at all scheduled commercial bank branches.
| Loan Nature | The business owner can get a composite loan, including a working capital loan and term loan. |
| Rate of Interest | The loan scheme can be termed as the lowest interest rate offered by the bank to any particular category. However, the rate of interest must not exceed the Tenor Premium + MCLR + 3%. |
| Loan Amount | A borrower can get a business loan ranging from Rs. 10 lakhs and Rs. 1 crore. Here, the composite loan will cover 75% of the project’s cost, which includes the term loan and working capital loan. The condition here is that the loan of 75% of the project will not be applicable if the borrower contributes more than 25% of the overall project from his savings or any other financial support. |
| Loan Security | There is a need to offer primary security by the borrower. Besides, the business owner may also require to provide security or a guarantee of the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Stand-Up India Loans, as requested by a bank. |
| Loan Repayment | The maximum tenure for the repayment of the loan is seven years and the moratorium period is 18 months. |
| Availability of Loan Scheme | A business owner can get access to the loan scheme by all scheduled commercial banks by directly visiting their bank branch or by visiting the Stand-Up India website. |
| Loan Purpose | The business loan is offered to a woman or SC/ST entrepreneur who is starting his business venture for the first time in trading, manufacturing, service sector. |
| Working Capital | If the loan is approved for a limit of Rs. 10 lakh, the loan amount is sanctioned in the form of overdraft. The borrower is provided with a RuPay debit card for his convenience of withdrawing money quickly as and when required. If the business loan is availed for more than Rs. 10 lakh, the borrower is provided with the same by the cash credit limit. |
| Margin Money | The borrower is expected to contribute at least 10% of the cost of the project from his own funds or savings. |
To take the benefits of Stand-Up India, the business owner needs to be eligible for it by complying with the following eligibility criteria:
The following are a few factors that directly and indirectly influence the approval/disapproval of the business loans under the loan scheme:
The borrower can apply for a Stand-Up India Loan Scheme directly from the bank branch, through SIDBI’s Stand-Up India website, or Lead District Manager.
The borrower can conveniently apply for the business loan by registering on the portal quickly from home or office. The typical questions that the borrowers have to answer while filling the application form include:
Who are eligible for Stand Up India scheme?
The applicant must be aged above 18 years. Only greenfield projects can apply for the loan scheme. Non-individuals, such as existing firms and businesses, can also apply for the scheme. 51% of the shareholding and controlling stakes of the firm must be held by either SC/ST and/or women entrepreneurs.
How much loan is provided in the Stand Up India scheme?
Stand-Up India Scheme Facilitates bank loans between 10 lakh and 1 Crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch for setting up a greenfield enterprise.
Who finances stand up India?
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) finances the Stand Up India scheme.
